The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02


be if she and Sam were kind to each other.
She did not know whether Sam could be
kind-he was always so surly to her. But
had she been much better to him? She
had always kept out of his way as much
as possible, never showing him the little
cares which sister can show and which
motherless boy must sadly miss.
With thoughtful face she went back
to the table where his untasted dinner
lay. Making a few additions to it, abe
carried it to the kitchen stove, where it
would keep hot. And with every thing
she did a warmer feeling toward Sam
came into her heart.
Have you ever realized, boys and girls,
how the delight OF a kind thought or &C
ton grows upon you? Try it and see. A
host of tender feelings toward her broth
er seemed to spring up in Ellen's heart
with her trifing care for his comfort.
She began TO wish to do something else.
"Tll make him a cup Of chocolate she
said to herself. Sans fond Of chocolate
and he doesn't often get it."
She brought some milk and set it on the
stove to heat while she grated the choco-
late. Susan grumbled little about
things being in her wey when she was so
busy. It was beginning to rain and she
would have trouble drying her clothes, SO
she, like Sam, was a little crosser than
usual.
81 won't bother you long, Susan" said
Ellen. "Sam had to leave his dinner to
go on an errand, and I thought I'd have
it nice for him when he comes back"
Susan turned end looked at her with
an astonished face.
"Wellp she exclaimed, "In all the while
I've lived here it's the first blessed time
I've ever knowed one of you two to do a
good turn to tothSf"
The blood rushed to Ellen's face as in
real shame and humiliation of spirit she
felt how just was the girls blunt rebuke.
She made no answer, but stirred her choc-
olate until the foam on the top showed
that it was properly cooked, and then set
it on the back of the stove, and went to
see il Sam was coming.
She watched him with look of quick
ened affection as he came near. The raw,
windy morning had given promise OF a
storm which was now setting in, and the
rain was beating against his face. And
she saw what she had never looked close
enough to see uefore, that it was thin and
pale. Gould it be that Sam was not well,
and that no one had ever thought or cared
about it? Perhaps it had something to do
with his crossness. 1t was hard that he
should have been obliged to leave his
dinner-and how glad she was that she
had concerned herself about it,
She ran to the kitchen and was bring
ing his hot meat and vegetables just as
he sat down to the table.
"Sonne ones taken away my dinner"
he said with growl, as she opened the
door. But he stared in surprise as she
set it before him, hot and daintily ar
ranged.
"Was that you or Susan?" he asked.
at was ], SAM"
He said no more but seemed to like it
to have her stay and talk with him. And
when she brought the chocolate and a
piece of cake to eat with it he stared
again, but only said, Most makes me
think I'm Harry Vane. He always gets
waited on when he's late"
"You're just as good to wait on as Harry
Vane, SAM
"That's new idea, isn't it?" he said.
A cup Of chocolate is small thing, but
it made good beginning. 1t is in little
things that the kindly affections of daily
home-life are shown. 1t took some time
for the cross look to wear off Sans face.
and the roughness from his manners.
But such things do wear off under the
smoothing influence OF smiles and kindly
Offices. And in after years when the two
found their chief comfort in each other,
Ellen had full reason to bless the day in
which she had been led to exert the sweet
power Of sisterly love over her brother,
finding it unfailing, as others have found
it, in times when a restraining hand and
gentle voice may prove the making,
with Gods blessing, of noble life
Nea0 York Observer.